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We’ve all been there. You’ve already picked out the perfect Christmas cards to send this year. They say exactly what you want them to say. What can you possibly add besides your name that will a) add value and b) not take up too much of your time? Here are a few suggestions…

1. Tie in a holiday memory

Maybe you moved into a new house and got to decorate it for the first time. “We’ve had so much fun decorating our new place for Christmas. Wish you were here to share it!” Maybe this is the first year your kiddo was big enough to help with the cookies. “It’s been amazing to watch Tommy grow. This year he even helped with the cookies, and even though the kitchen looked like the North Pole when we were done, we both had a blast. Hope your Christmas is sweet!” Maybe that Christmas ornament Aunt Sally gave you 20 years ago always makes you think of her when you pull it out. “I put the ornament you gave us all those years ago on the tree last night. It always makes me think of you.” All of these things are great to write into your card and make its recipient feel like they get to be a part of your celebration, even if they can’t be nearby for the holiday.

2. Say thank you

You definitely want to say thank you if they’ve sent a gift. But what I really mean is thank them for being part of your life. Say thanks for their influence. Say thanks for their prayers this year. Say thanks for staying in touch. Say thanks for sending a Christmas card when everything revolves around the Internet. Say thanks for always making you laugh. You get the picture.

3. Hope and wish

Send them good tidings for Christmas and the new year: Wishing we could be together at Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season. Wishing you a blessed year ahead. Hope we can be together again soon.

If you never know what to put in your Christmas cards, I hope these ideas will help you write heartfelt messages this year. If you’re a pro, what are some things you usually write inside your cards?

We sent out a fourth idea to our newsletter subscribers on what to write inside your Christmas cards. If you’d like exclusive info like this (and a discount just for signing up!), CLICK HERE!

It’s nearly December. I know you’re probably dreading writing out and addressing your Christmas cards. “My handwriting is so awful,” you think to yourself. If I may suggest — steer clear of printing out EVERYTHING. It can feel really impersonal to the recipient. If you do nothing more than sign your name, at least do that. With a real pen. (Post coming soon on what to write inside those cards besides your name!) In the meantime, here are some tips on how to improve your penmanship:

1. Slow down

Yes, you’re in a hurry to get those bajillion cards out the door. Maybe the kids are tearing down the tree as you write or your husband is determined to short out the power with Christmas lights. But you’ll find that if you just s.l.o.w d.o.w.n as you write, concentrate on what you’re doing, you’ll see instant results.

2. Write in cursive

You know those curvy letters they taught you as a kid? Yeah, they still exist. Use them. One, they look more elegant and pretty than print. But two, because of all the loops and curves, it’s easier to mask imperfections in your writing style. (*Note: If you’re more comfortable writing in print, then I’m sure someone would rather receive a printed note from you than nothing at all.)

3. Use the right pen

If you don’t write with a fountain pen every day, now’s probably not the time to start. Use something you’re comfortable with. Sure, that means use something that feels comfortable in your hand, but it also means to use a pen that reflects you. I know this sounds silly, but there are just some pens that make me happier than others. Pretty ones, gifted ones, super-smooth-ink ones make me feel more dedicated to my writing task than the chewed ballpoint I accidentally grabbed at the doctor’s office.

4. Write big

Literally. Not humongous. But bigger than your usual chicken scratch. Especially if you’ve heeded my advice from No. 2 and are writing in cursive, you can achieve big, flowy, beautiful letters. Small and scrunchy words are only going to look worse. Give your writing space to breathe. Plus, you have the added benefit — if you’re really worried about your handwriting — that writing big means you can write less.

5. Put your heart into it

Whether you’re sending Christmas cards or random ones throughout the year, sit down. Make yourself comfortable. Relax. Think about what you’re going to say. It’s likely that your card’s recipient will be keeping this memento for a long time. Imagine they pull it out next year to show to a friend how great you are. You want it to look nice (for you and for them).

So there you have it. Five quick ways to improve your handwriting. But whether your penmanship is beautiful or not, it’s really the thought behind your letter that counts. Take the time to sit down and WRITE. And remember, practice makes perfect.

The first five people to spend $25 in the shop today will receive this exclusive art print. So get clickin’! (If you choose to use the discount below, total after coupon must be greater than $25.)

This is your LAST opportunity to get one of these exclusive RLPCo art prints! I’ll post here when today’s five prints have been claimed, but don’t worry, there’s still some discount goodness to go around.

I know shopping after Thanksgiving generally trends toward buying gifts for others, but you’re still gonna need Christmas cards to send them. So we’re getting in on the sale action this weekend.

But it’s not just a sale.

For four days — Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Just-Because Sunday (I made that one up) and Cyber Monday — the FIRST FIVE PEOPLE to spend at least $25 in the shop will get a FREE, EXCLUSIVE, ONE-TIME-ONLY 5×7 Christmas art print! This is the only time these prints will be offered. Wanna see them?

You didn’t think I was gonna show you NOW did you? Each day’s exclusive print will be revealed at midnight EST the day before they’re available. So keep checking back! And remember, only the first five people of the day (who spend $25 or more) will get the print, so you better be quick. I’ll post it here when that day’s prints have been claimed.

But don’t worry if you can’t click that fast. We’ve got deals all day (and weekend) long! Just make sure you take note of what times these discounts will be offered.

Like this:

Actually, it’s TWO big deals. If you like to save money, you’ll like this.

1. The Scratch & Dent Sale is back!

Being a perfectionist, sometimes I have to set aside cards that have tiny little spots or a slightly dented corner, or maybe the color didn’t print just right. They’re still perfectly usable cards, I just can’t in good conscience send them to someone expecting a pristine specimen. So I’m gonna apply a big discount, throw in free shipping, and hope you can make use of them.

Scratch & Dent cards are sold in sets of 5.

A set costs $10 (that’s 50% OFF!) + FREE SHIPPING

Comes with corresponding number of scratch & dent envelopes (slightly dented corner or small spot).

No limits!

You can specify which five you’d like. They can be all different, all the same, mix and match. If I don’t have one you want, I will replace it with a card of my choice.

Or you can choose a surprise grab bag. I’ll pick out five cards and it’ll be like Christmas when your package arrives!

Tell your friends. For every one person who purchases a scratch & dent set and says you sent them, I’ll give YOU a FREE scratch & dent card.

Runs through Friday, Nov. 2.

The cards you see here are all available. If you don’t see it here, it might also be available. (A girl’s only got so much space.) Visit the shop and see what else tickles your fancy.

TO ORDER: Leave a comment below with your email address and your choices OR email me at stephanie@redletterpaperco.com. I’ll send you a Paypal invoice (don’t worry, you don’t have to have a Paypal account to pay it). At the end of the sale, all scratch & dent orders will be shipped out on Nov. 5.

The fine print: All scratch & dent sales are final. Free shipping applies only in U.S. If you’re international, get in touch and we’ll work it out.

2. All 1000 Words cards are on sale – permanently

While we do have some scratch & dent photo cards you can snag for $2, if you’ve been in the shop lately you might have noticed that all of the 1000 Words cards (and even a few Christmas cards) have been discounted.

Sometimes, moving forward means letting go. That’s what’s happening here. As RLPCo grows, I’ll be focusing my energy on the real core of my business: the designs. That means I’m clearing out my current inventory of 1000 Words cards at a discount, and when they’re gone, they’re gone for good.

Each Etsy listing for the 1000 Words cards has been updated with the number I have left. Get ‘em while you can.

These photo cards were how I got started with RLPCo and I am sad to see them go. But I’m also excited about a future of really pursuing the real purpose of this business — to share my faith through design.